If the San Diego Comic-Con is the arena rock star of the convention world, then San Francisco’s WonderCon is the concert-hall favorite. It’s not nearly as big, but much more manageable, and (in my humble opinion) just as much fun.
I attended two days of this year’s Con, where I met numerous writers, artists, and geek icons. My favorite folks to talk to, though, were the hard-working crafters tabling throughout the Con.
Some had made items to promote books and webcomics, others were devoted to selling thier handmade crafts. No matter the reason, though, they were always happy to stop and share a little about their creations.
Hey, if you’re coming to Maker Faire, please stop by the CRAFT: magazine area at 2:00 on Saturday to make a POW! ZAP! Magnet from World of Geekcraft to take home! I’m bringing free magnet kits for everyone, and if you mention that you’re a geekcrafts.com reader, I’ll have a little extra surprise for you too…
I can’t wait for the marvelous Maker Faire weekend! Please comment if you’re presenting or will be there too, I’d love to say hi!
Thor (2011)
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, and Tom Hiddleston
115 minutes
rated PG-13
I’ll go ahead and admit at the outset here that I’ve never read a Thor comic book, or even a full comic book of any hero variety. A blasphemy of sorts, perhaps, but I’m ok with that. But I still appreciate a good comic book hero movie, and the latest installment in the Marvel movie franchise did not disappoint.
The movie Thor features a godly character of Viking descent – based on a mixture of Norse mythology and Marvel comic book lore. In the movie, the Mighty Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, is the son of the “all-father” Odin, played by Sir Anthony Hopkins, and older brother to Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston. Just as Thor is about to be crowned King of the mythical realm of Asgard, the Frost Giants break in to Asgard and attempt to steal a powerful relic. Ever the warrior, Thor counsels his father to make swift and violent retribution against the Frost Giants, which would no doubt lead to all-out war. Recognizing his son’s arrogance and pride, Odin calls him a “vain, greedy, cruel boy”, and banishes Thor to Earth without his god-like powers, most significantly without the ability to wield his iconic war hammer Mjollnir. Once on Earth, Thor must learn the humility and wisdom required to be a great ruler, in order to earn back his godly powers and access to Asgard. Along the way he apparently also “learns” the ability to fall in love – with astro-scientist Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman.
This movie was complete eye-candy – I almost wished the Asgard scenes had run in slo-mo so I could take in all the details. The special effects were flawless – from the epic battle scenes in Jötunheim (the frost giant world), to traveling via the Bifrost Bridge portal, to Loki’s cloning powers, to the Earthly battle scene with the Destroyer – all just awesome. This is a film that is definitely worth seeing in the theater to get the full effect of the big screen – even worth splurging the extra few bucks to see it in IMAX 3D (which we did – Happy Mother’s Day to me!)
I’m just getting crochet-envy now! Check out these adorable Amigurumi mini-monsters (or Monsties, if you will) Created by crocheting blogger and fellow English person EssHaych AKA Sarah from Essex…. I went to university in Essex… small world… anyhow….
You’ll have to know something about crochet (unlike me) but she’s offering the pattern for how to make these cute little critters for freeover on her blog! She’s also put together a bright, clear photo tutorial to help you make those pesky legs.
These are just adorable. If I lived in a Studio Ghibli Film I would completely have a little group of them following me around everywhere I go…
I got a second one for you! being that this is the Week of the World of Geekcraft (for all you wonderful people on the WorldWideWeb watching these words … uh oh.. I fell into an alliteration hole) I feel it’s my duty to point you towards the book excerpt that was featured on the Craftzine Blog yesterday.
In their celebration of the launch of the book, Craftzine are giving away a free tutorial from the book for how to craft your own “Pow!” “Zap!” comic book fridge magnets.
Now while you’re passing the fridge, you can remind yourself that you are not a domestic Goddess, you are a domestic Superhero (key difference? superheroes can eat chocolate cheesecake… goddesses can’t they’re incorporeal! … hah! in your FACE goddesses!)
With the premiere of the movie Thor this week, I thought I’d highlight some viking crafts. As my paternal grandfather was a full-blood Swede, I think it only fitting, ja? :)
Chandra Willis created a stylish infant-toddler viking helmet (though her model does not appear to agree) – find her knitting pattern at Hot Potato Knits.
Yarn manufacturer Bernat offers a crochet version of a warrior baby helmet (Ravelry link, login required), with which I am completely in love, and which has me eying every baby head in near vicinity with crafting glee.
In the new-to-me craft category, a Viking Knitting tutorial from janraven on Etsy. Since the tutorial features 75 photo step-outs, it’s probably a good thing janraven also offers the finished Viking Knit Hoop earrings in her Etsy shop.
And finally, Cheryl Herrick (aka “crankycheryl”) shares her version of a Viking birthday party, complete with duct tape Viking helmets, a catapault, and a Viking long boat made of chocolate chip pound cake. Complete epic-ness.
Oh, and a side geek-note? Chris Hemsworth, the actor who is playing Thor in the forthcoming movie, also played George Kirk in the 2009 reboot of Star Trek, and is currently working on Joss Whedon‘s Avengers, also as Thor. Nice.
I love Iron Man, and I love not having cup rings on my coffee table, so when Holly from Customcomix sent these to us, I couldn’t resist. She and her boyfriend got into decoupaging one of kind, super cool comic book items (jewelry, coffee tables, coasters, you name it!) when they got their first place and decided the only sure way to make it fit them, would be to make the decor from scratch (and old comic books) the end result is an awesome Etsy shop that I can’t wait to blow some money in!
If the San Diego Comic-Con is the arena rock star of the convention world, then San Francisco’s WonderCon is the concert-hall favorite. It’s not nearly as big, but much more manageable, and (in my humble opinion) just as much fun.
